Wa delegates storm out of peace talks
NAYPYITAW • Delegates from one of Myanmar's most heavily armed ethnic groups stormed out of peace talks yesterday in an early blow to a landmark gathering aimed at ushering in a new era of peace.
The 20,000-strong United Wa State Army had originally refused to attend this week's talks, arguing that they signed their own ceasefire pact with the previous military government in 1989.
Government peace negotiator Khin Zaw Oo told reporters the Wa delegates were angry that they were given observer badges instead of badges allowing them to speak.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Thailand to resume talks with separatists
BANGKOK • Thailand's military government said yesterday that peace talks with Muslim separatists operating in the far south of the country would resume in Malaysia, but that no agreement would be signed unless the insurgents observed a ceasefire.
Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said negotiations would restart today in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia has been trying to broker negotiations.
REUTERS
Paedophile ring suspects nabbed
JAKARTA • Indonesian police say they have arrested three suspects in connection with an online paedophile ring that allegedly linked adult men with about 100 mostly teenage boys.
Officers caught the first suspect, a man in his 40s accused of pimping out boys on his Facebook page, on Tuesday in a hotel room in Cisarua, Java.
The man, whose identity was not disclosed, was with seven boys and an 18-year-old when he was arrested, senior police officer Agung Setya said yesterday.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Pakistan's military admits ISIS presence
RAWALPINDI • Pakistan's military has admitted for the first time that the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has a presence in the country but said that it had apprehended hundreds of its militants and prevented them from carrying out major attacks.
Army spokesman Asim Bajwa said yesterday that military forces had foiled planned attacks by ISIS on foreign embassies and Islamabad's airport, but denied that the group was behind last month's suicide blast at a hospital that killed 73, as it has claimed.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
